International Market Centers and AmericasMart Form a New Corporate Entity

May 21, 2018No Comments

International Market Centers (IMC) and AmericasMart (Atlanta) (AmericasMart), two best-in-class operators in the furniture, gift, home décor, rug and apparel B2B industries, have entered into an agreement to form the world’s largest owner and operator of premier showroom space. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The combined corporate entity, which will operate under the name International Market Centers, will own and operate nearly 20 million square feet of permanent showroom space in Las Vegas, Nev., High Point, N.C., and Atlanta, Ga., creating the world’s largest permanent mart operator for furniture, home decor, rug, gift and apparel. The individual Markets and their respective venues will continue to operate under existing names and branding.

IMC and AmericasMart will bring together the best practices, technology, and personnel from both firms to create premier B2B Market experiences across more than 20 annual events.

Robert Maricich, the current chief executive officer of IMC, will become Chief Executive Officer of the combined entity. He said, “IMC has always had immense respect for AmericasMart and its founders, the Portman family, who established a tremendous reputation in the industry. We look forward to bringing together our two companies to provide exhibitors with exceptional access to global Markets, and buyers with even more convenient opportunities to explore top products across sectors.”

AmericasMart houses the world’s single-largest collection of home decor, gift, area rug and apparel merchandise, with a complex comprising over 7.1 million square feet of space in downtown Atlanta. AmericasMart hosts 17 annual Markets and shows, including The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market and The Atlanta International Area Rug Market. The Markets regularly serve over 4,500 exhibitors. AmericasMart welcomes nearly 200,000 attendees per year including international attendees from 80 countries and buyers from the top 100 retailers in the United States. The creation of architect-developer John Portman, AmericasMart has been an icon of commerce for more than 60 years and an enduring landmark in the City of Atlanta. Within the 14-block Peachtree Center complex, which Portman designed and developed without the use of any public funds, the campus has been expanded in phases since its opening in 1961. By stimulating trade and tourism with this and many other projects, Mr. Portman was the catalyst that established Atlanta as one of the nation’s premiere convention cities.

“AmericasMart has long served as a crossroads of commerce,” noted Jeffrey L. Portman, Sr. “This joining of the incredibly powerful talents and resources present in both organizations will sustain and advance that role for the ultimate benefit of the customers we jointly serve,” Portman added. Jeff Portman will serve as an advisor to the Board of IMC.

“This announcement to combine with AmericasMart coupled with our continued investment in High Point and Las Vegas demonstrates our enthusiasm about the expansion of our core business and our optimism for the future of Markets for the furniture, home decor, gift and apparel industries,” said Robert Maricich, chief executive officer of IMC. The transaction is expected to close in third quarter of 2018.

“We have been in business since 1988 and a part of our success has been the use of trade magazines such as yours. Being far away from most trade shows, these magazines are a great lifeline for us who can’t just drive to a gifts show. So thank you for being there for us with insightful articles.”– Malia Johnson, President, Malimar Inc. dba Sedona, Honolulu, HI

“…Because of our budget, I am unable to go to market, so your Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties publication serves at a great tool for me to see what is new and trending in the market, and I have tried many new products because I’ve seen them advertised in your magazine. Thanks again.”– Nancy Cole, gift shop manager, Booth Society, D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery & Archives, Spearfish, S.D.

I just received my copy of SGN Magazine, and I was delighted to see [Natalie Hope McDonald’s] article about us. Thank you for featuring my shop in such a lovely way. It means a lot to me as a small business owner.”– Heather Mohorn, Momo’s Tree House, Philadelphia, Pa.

“Thanks for your magazine. I really enjoy it and learn from it monthly.”–Susan Michener, Admission/Gift Shop Manager, The Montgomery Zoo, Montgomery, Ala.

“I wanted to take a minute to not only tell you how much I use and enjoy my copy of Souvenirs, Gifts, and Novelties Magazine, but to share with you some good news about my husband’s and my business Her Majesty’s English Tea Room. We recently won the prestigious Icon award from Americasmart Atlanta. …Thank you again for a magazine that is a little bit like a work book. My husband and I both go through it in detail, always picking up a display idea, new product, or tip.”– Jacqueline Gillam Fairchild, Her Majesty’s English Tea Room, Dunlap, Ill

“Thank you for your wonderful magazine. I love getting it and we do a lot of business with your advertisers. I know that their marketing money is limited, so I make sure to mention that I saw them in Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties magazine. Win-Win-Win. Everybody’s happy!”– Steve Fegley, Director of Retail Operations, the Science Museum of Minnesota

“The March/April 2017 issue just arrived and it really made our day! Thank you for featuring the LA Maritime Museum’s Sea Chest Gift Shop. The article was very well-written, and our assistant buyer is thrilled to see her photo included!” – Marifrances Trivelli, director and store buyer, Los Angeles Maritime Museum, San Pedro, Calif.

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Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties magazine, established in 1962, is published eight times per year. The total qualified readership mailing is 50,399 based on the October 2018 issue. In addition, the magazine is bonus distributed at most major and minor gift, jewelry, toy, specialty and resort shows across North America.

Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties serves the general gift and trend marketplace with a core readership in the tourism and resorts gift and apparel stores. The magazine’s editorial is based on a format that highlights useful tips and advice, and that also follows trends. SGN is the only gift trade publication addressing the specific needs and interests of its retail and wholesale readership.Among SGN’s readership are buyers from:Zoos and Aquariums, National and State Parks/Caves and Caverns, Museum Stores, Hospital Gift Shops, College Stores, Minor League Baseball and Other Fan Stores, Party Stores, Inspirational Merchandise Shops, Fashion Accessories and Apparel Stores, Country, General and Variety Stores, Shops Dealing in Quality Gifts, Stores with a Focus on Plush and Toys, Resort Gift and Souvenir stores, Tourist Attractions and Botanical Gardens, Beach Shops, Spas and Cruise Lines, and many others!